Toronto Raptors survive first test with injury depleted lineup
The Toronto Raptors played their first game after getting some tough injury news and found a way to come away with a win against the Washingon Wizards.
After being blindsided by some tough injuries to Pascal Siakam, Marc Gasol and Norman Powell, the Toronto Raptors had to move forward and found a way to do that for one game with a win over the Washington Wizards.
It wasn’t exactly a masterpiece considering the Raptors only won by four points but this is the type of performance we’re going to have to get used to considering the players being asked to step in haven’t been asked to play meaningful minutes. Fortunately for Toronto, they got Fred VanVleet back in the starting lineup after Powell did a good job filling in for him and Serge Ibaka was able to take Gasol’s spot.
More from Tip of the Tower
- Cam Phillips making his mark on Toronto Argonauts offence
- Toronto Argonauts: 4 storylines ahead of matchup against Redblacks
- Federico Bernardeschi ready for new challenge with Toronto FC
- Toronto Argonauts overcome Roughriders in entertaining Touchdown Atlantic
- Buffalo Bills: Von Miller drawing inspiration from Bruce Smith
After that, Nick Nurse was going to have to experiment a little bit going with Patrick McCaw in Pascal Siakam’s spot which is certainly a step down but that was the only option available really.
Where it gets tough for the Raptors is trying to have a lineup capable of producing offence with the starters taking a breather on the bench. There was a time when Kyle Lowry and Serge Ibaka were injured that the depth was able to step up but they didn’t have to do it alone either.
This is probably going to be the challenge for Nurse with games against the Dallas Mavericks, Indiana Pacers and Boston Celtics coming up because Toronto won’t have the luxury of playing a struggling team. Will this be a good test for the Raptors to prove themselves and make a statement, yes, but you would rather have your best lineup for this upcoming stretch.
Fortunately for the Raptors, they still have Lowry who will have to be the leader on the court and VanVleet who won’t get the benefit of easing back into the lineup but considering how well Ibaka did with that group there is still reason to be optimistic.
Next. Injuries to Norman Powell, Marc Gasol paves tough road. dark
What did you think about the Raptors first game with Siakam, Gasol and Powell? Did they pass the first test? Let us know in the comments below.